Even the grand jury summoned to indict the killer had to be dismissed after repeatedly returning only second-degree charges.

This case cries out for primary research beyond the scope of this blog’s daily deadlines further to the motivations of the characters involved, but the bottom line is that Vowell hanged before a highly sympathetic crowd — calling “Good-bye, Mart!” as he “died game” — in Paragould, Ark.

* Given the famous characters evoked by name, we need to note that our day’s principal, Mart, was actually named Martin Van Buren Powell, which would presumably make him a namesake of abolitionist former U.S. President Martin Van Buren.

20 thoughts on “1904: Mart Vowell, aged Civil War veteran”

Just saw this site. I am Georgia Ann Jones Keller Vowell’s great granddaughter. Ab was my great uncle. Rector Library has book, “Showdown at Blue Cane” about Blll Lovejoy and Mart Vowell written by Bill Lovejoy’s great great grandson, David Galster. Mr Galster’s book is good. E/book available from Smashwords. The Rector Library also has a laminated copy of the Paragould Soliphone newspaper containing the day of hanging. I have hand copied as mich as possible. I am looking for a copy in better condition so I can fill in some blanks.

I have taken intrest in this event. I knew Marty Vowell in Plano Il. when I was 10 or 11 years old. We use to push each other around on a merry go around as fast as we could to see who would get sick first, LOL!! Now we both live around Paragould and I work with his cousin Jamie Vickers! Small world huh! Anyway Im a part time songwriter and i would love to write a song about this event.I,d like yalls permission to write a song about Martin Van Buran Vowell, This piece of history should never be forgotton. Can I have your permission? Stephen Smith {Goobertown Arkansas}

O my goodness I found a relative I didn’t really know who all I am related to I am Abner’s great-granddaughter which Lanny Vowell is my dad.How are we related on my dad’s side?Yes I believe if they had a different judge he probably would have lived longer because there was something going on with that.

I agree with Kathryn. The whole trail sounds like it was a sham and someone had it out for Mart Vowell, Who by the way is my great great great Grandfather. Lovejoy sounded like a troublemaker who got what he deserved. He was known to have killed almost a dozen men. Had several run ins with Marrt Vowell when he was a Constable.

Greetings, Mart Vowell is part of my family tree. My grandma’s maiden name was Vowell – Maudie Ilyer Vowell, one of 3 sisters. If you see this, give us a ring. We’re working on the family tree. We have a very tattered 1909 newspaper on this event and we believe Uncle Mart was railroaded.

Hi,Barbara I am Mart Vowell’s 3rd great granddaughter on my fathers side-Abner Red Bismark Vowell was Marts son and he was my great grandpa.I have a relative Brenda Gartside Simmons who has a lot of the Vowell family tree she is on Facebook if you do not already know her she is a distant relative who is also a relative of the Dukes who is also our cousins.

I believe my g great-grandfather was innocent the man was terrorizing everyone including his family. I believe there was something else to that because the judge made sure my grandpa was hanged when it was self defense Lovejoy wouldn’t quit shooting at him then played dead, that’s when grandpa finally killed him. You wouldn’t want someone threatening your family…

Well, I believe some of the good ol’ boys of the town should have freed ol’ Mart, and skedaddled with him in the dark of the night. (notice my poor attempt at using outdated language from “bygone” days, LOL!).